Spartans named D3football.com All-Region
AURORA, Ill. -- D3football.com announced the 2009 Football All-Region teams, which include members of the Spartans football program on the North All-Region teams. AU finished the season with a 4-6 overall and 2-5 record in the Northern Athletics Conference.

First-Team All-North Region honors went to Spartan senior linebacker Mike Budzinski (Minooka, IL/Minooka H.S.), while senior defensive lineman Pat Funk (Morris, IL/Morris H.S.) was selected Second-Team All-North Region.

Budzinski now will move on to the All-American ballot and have a chance to be selected as D3football.com All-America (announced during the Division III National Championship weekend, December 19, 2009).

In addition to his All-Region honor, Budzinski was named the 2009 Northern Athletics Conference Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-Conference. In his final season with the Spartans, Budzinski recorded 104 tackles (40 solo and 64 assisted), two and a half quarterback sacks, one interception, three fumble recoveries and a blocked kick. Additionally, Budzinski concludes his career at AU as the all-time leading tackler with 322, surpassing current assistant coach Brian Fetterolf (320 from 1986 to 1989). He also finishes with five career fumble recoveries (tied for third all-time), three of which came in 2009 which ties the all-time single season record.

Funk was named D3football.com Second-Team All-Region after earning NAC First-Team All-Conference honors. Funk leaves AU tied for third with 20.5 career quarterback sacks. On the season he had 59 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.

The Spartans finished the 2009 season averaging 249.6 yards per game of total offense, 82.7 on the ground, 166.9 through the air and scored 19.3 points per game, while the defensive unit allowed 23.8 points per game, 289.1 yards of total offense, 127.8 on the ground and 161.3 through the air.

Courtesy of Aurora University, Sports Information Department, December 12, 2009.